The US approved the sale of weapons worth an estimated $3.5 billion to Saudi Arabia ahead of a planned visit by President Donald Trump to the Gulf kingdom this month, as Washington seeks to strengthen ties with a key partner and ratchet up pressure against Iran.

The State Department said it has notified Congress of the possible sale of 1,000 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia and 50 guidance sections, as well as logistics and program support. Arizona-based RTX Corp. is the principal contractor.